One of the greatest lessons I have learnt in life is the importance of recognising value in little things. Many people overlook small opportunities because they appear insignificant, but with patience, commitment and the right attitude, little things can grow into valuable assets.
Look around this compound, and you will see practical examples of this philosophy.
Some of these plantain suckers were picked from a junction along my street. Someone had uprooted them and thrown them away, but I saw potential in what others considered waste. I picked eight of them and brought them here. Others were remnants of plantain suckers brought to my school from Ubia for a practical lesson on plantain farming. Rather than allow them to go to waste, I brought them home.
Today, the plantain plants have become a source of income. We produce and sell plantain chips from their harvests, and we also sell plantain suckers to people interested in starting their own farms.
The other fruit trees in this compound tell similar stories. Our avocado tree grew from a seed we discarded after eating the fruit. The orange tree came from a seed that germinated here, while the mango tree also grew from a discarded seed. We have an Ube tree, an indigenous fruit we enjoy eating with maize. We planted it from a discarded seed, and today it is flowering. We look forward to harvesting its fruits.
These are ordinary seeds that could easily have been thrown away and forgotten. Today, they are becoming productive trees that provide food and economic value.
This reminds me of an important principle: small beginnings can produce valuable results when we recognise their potential.
This is exactly how money works. When you have money in your hands, don’t just see it as something to spend. See it as a seed. What you do with that seed determines what it can become in the future.
There was a year I sold plantain and banana suckers worth ₦2.5 million. These were not all produced from this compound; I sourced some from other places. On another occasion, within one month, I sold plantain suckers worth ₦100,000 from the school and my residence.
These earnings came from recognising opportunities, taking initiative and developing what was available.
If you look around, you will also see coconuts. I am gathering them now that school has resumed. In time, I will use them to produce coconut candy for sale. Even if I make just ₦2,000 or ₦3,000 from the coconuts, it is still money. It is an additional source of income that can meet a need without having to depend on or beg anyone.
I have never been comfortable with begging. I believe people should develop the habit of looking for opportunities to work, create value and earn a living.
This morning, before going out to preach, I washed this car myself. Sometimes, I wonder what would happen if a young man came to me and offered to wash my cars regularly. I would gladly pay him for the service. He would have created an opportunity to earn money through honest work.
Unfortunately, many young people would rather come to beg for money than offer a useful service in exchange for it.
I was once the first driver of this school’s bus when we started the school. I understand the dignity of doing little things and starting from somewhere. There is no shame in honest work. What matters is your willingness to learn, serve, develop skills and grow.
The opportunities around us are not always obvious. Sometimes, they come in the form of discarded seeds, neglected plants, small services or resources that other people consider worthless. The difference lies in our ability to recognise their potential and put them to good use.
Whether it is money, a business idea, a skill or an available resource, learn to make the most of what you have.
Don’t wait until you have millions before you start creating wealth. Don’t despise ₦2,000 or ₦3,000 because it appears too small. Don’t look down on an opportunity simply because it does not offer immediate financial rewards.
The plantain, avocado, orange, Ube and mango trees in this compound are reminders that valuable things can emerge from what others discard.
Wealth does not always begin with having plenty. Sometimes, it begins with recognising the value of what you already have and making the most of it.
Learn to treasure little things. Learn to work with your hands. Learn to create value. With time, those little things can grow into major opportunities and sources of wealth.
I remain your friend,
Dr. Charles Apoki
Those who have ears and are willing to learn, let them learn.
